Meet Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Sustainability Partners

We spoke with Jade Foster of Net Zero Isle of Man and Jacqui Keenan of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man about their partnership with Gef’s 2024 30 Under 30 Sustainability Category, and how they’re working with some of this year’s winners on toolkits to empower our local community.

What made you want to be involved in Gef’s 30 Under 30?

Gef’s 30 under 30 showcases individual stories and their causes or contributions to our Island’s community and people really care about that.

For young people climate change is here and now. Their futures and those after them will be affected by the decisions and actions we make today.

What’s inspiring is that Gef’s 30 Under 30 winners are influencing change, overcoming hurdles, making a difference, as well as some looking at the climate crisis with optimism and hope! They will be in leadership positions, if not now, in the near future. This outlook is important as it is within our power as an Island to set an example, be bold and contribute to limit the worst impacts of climate change; we are the world’s only whole nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve after all.

It also seemed like a lot of fun!

What company values do you have that align with Gef’s 30 Under 30 campaign?

Our Biosphere status celebrates what makes us special and tells the world we care about it – and that we’re committed to sustaining it.

Like Gef’s 30 Under 30, we like to celebrate our uniqueness, achievements and people. There are some great people contributing to our brighter future, some ground-breaking projects happening on the Island such as those to restore nature – there are lots of things to celebrate, and there is more work to do! The Island is leading in a lot of ways but behind in others. We can achieve so more as a collective –  collaborating through projects like this, all working together for a sustainable future.

Why is the category you chose to partner with important to your company?

Sustainability is vital to having a vibrant economy, environment and society for generations to come – and ultimately to our very existence.

Our winners are leading on sustainability in business, the environment and inspiring people. We were keen to share their voices and stories. Other winners in other categories have shared a passion about sustainability too, it shows sustainability underpins success in many other areas and that we have a powerful social consensus for a sustainable future.

What is your company doing to support young people on the island?

UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man has youth representation on our Stakeholder Partnership Group – our current Youth Rep, Rachel Smith, is doing incredible work building a network of like-minded young people on-island, supporting each other and encouraging local action. As a Biosphere Reserve we both benefit from being part of a global network (over 700 worldwide!) and have a responsibility to contribute to that network in return, giving these young people a platform to be part of, and learn from and share learning with other nations around the globe; Rachel recently represented the Isle of Man at an international conference and is now part of an international Biosphere Reserve youth network. We also celebrate and work with partners to bring initiatives like Young Nature Champion, support students’ research, run sessions in primary and secondary schools, and we hold a whole network of on-Island partners and ambassadors who work with our Island’s youth to convey our Biosphere message.

For Net Zero Isle of Man the focus has been on training educators and connecting with school age groups through Scoill-yn-Eco (Eco-schools) as well as activities like STEM Fest and more recently Year 9 drop-down days, equipping students with the knowledge and key skills for low-carbon transition and the career opportunities that brings.

Both Biosphere Isle of Man and Net Zero Isle of Man are keen to understand how we can support and empower young people to take positive action and ignite a passion that inspires others.

Net Zero also strives to ensure future voices are represented and actively shape our plans and strategies in our transition to net zero.

Did you go to Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winner’s Party and if so, what did you think of the event?

The pre-mixer for winners and sponsors was a great opportunity to connect and have great conversations that need to be continued. We value there is more opportunities to do this. The main party was incredible – what a spectacle! Such a fun way to celebrate the incredible Gef’s 30 Under 30 winners. We’d quite like to try the stilts ourselves next time – but maybe before the cocktails.

What stood out to you most about the winners in your category?

Passion, positivity and driving change! They really value our Island community and all the good that can come from bringing people together, collaborating to find innovative and creative ways to do things differently – and to do them better. They also really seem to really value making the most of living in our beautiful Biosphere – that having a good life outside of work is just as important as doing the work to care for it.